Chapter 37

Adette's POV

"Legolas!" I exclaimed, sitting up. I put a hand to my chest as it heaved up and down with each pant. I used my other hand to wipe the sweat from my forehead, waiting for that churning feeling. When it did not come I grew worried for whenever I woke from a nightmare I would need to empty my stomach.

Before another thought could process I felt the pain in my stomach but it came much stronger and with such force that I nearly cried out. I bit down hard on my lip to stop myself from doing so. The pain was unbearable and although I wouldn't like it…I needed help.

Carefully so as not to disturb the baby inside of me, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood. The second I stood upright I doubled over, grasping my stomach.

"Ada is coming soon." I promised my daughter, staggering towards the door. When I was out in the hall I laid a hand against the wall to guide me and to keep me upright. Although I continued to speak soothing words the pain did not subside. It only worsened.

Lucky for me, Aragorn's bedroom was just down the hall from mine. It took me what seemed like forever to reach his door. When I did I weakly knocked on the wood. When there was no answer I knocked again. I was about to knock a third time when Aragorn's face poked out from behind the door.

"Sister what is it?" He asked, his tone concerned. "Your lips are turning blue."

"Aragorn…help me." I stumbled past him, managing to make it halfway inside when I doubled over and this time I fell. Luckily I fell on my side and not on my stomach. My arms wrapped protectively around it as he kneeled down beside me.

"Someone help me!" He thundered. He then looked back down at me. "Is it the baby?"

"Legolas, the baby needs him." I said through clenched teeth, rocking myself back and forth as I laid on the cool ground. I heard footsteps and knew someone was in the doorway.

"King Aragorn?" A male's voice asked. He got to his feet and disappeared behind me.

"I need you to take the fastest horse and ride to Mirkwood. Tell Prince Legolas that he must return at once." There was a moment of silence and then I heard Aragorn's voice change from concerned and frightened to angry. "Why are you standing here! Hurry!"

The footsteps rushed away and Aragorn came back to my side. He went to lift me but I squirmed away, unable to unwrap my arms from around my middle. His hands flew back.

"Don't. It hurts." I managed to say before crying out.

"At least let me move you onto your back." He said softly, gently tipping me so that I rested on my back. He then disappeared again and I could hear his rushed footsteps hurrying about. When he returned he carried a bowl, a rag, and a pillow.

With great care he lifted my neck and slid the pillow beneath it. Although the pain did not go away I was comforted. Aragorn drenched the rag in the bowl of what I found was cold water, and began to dab at my face and neck.

"I'm sorry." I whispered hoarsely. He looked down at me, puzzled.

"Why are you sorry sister?"

"For being such a pain." I cried out again and not just from the pain. I was feeling guilty to be making my daughter suffer so. "And for that."

"Scream until the walls fall down Adette. I am glad you came and asked for help instead of bearing it alone." He smiled weakly at me and continued to soak my face and neck.

Legolas's POV

I could not sleep that night and instead sat up in front of the fire. My father was sleeping beside me and I had covered him with my cloak when he shivered. Dínendal and Alassë were wrapped in each other's arms beneath the safety of their cloaks. Lenwë was curled in a ball, further away from us.

I looked into the flames, my arms crossed over my chest. I couldn't help but feel as though we could have done more to prevent what happened. The truth was, we could have. If we had only done what I had said needed to be done. Now, we were homeless and torn.

Poor Lenwë had lost his wife and I was sure others had lost their loved ones as well. Although they had only been married for a short while they were still very much in love. Now she was gone and the reality of our conversation began to rear its ugly head.

I did not sleep at all and eventually watched the sun slowly rise. As I did I was aware of hoof beats riding in our direction. They were not too far off either. As everyone else began to stir I readied an arrow as I had the night before and aimed. When the rider appeared I recognized the horse as Brego.

"Prince Legolas I carry a message from King Aragorn." The rider said, dismounting. He approached me cautiously, eyeing the arrow I had aimed at him. I slowly lowered it and he relaxed.

"What message is that?"

"He says you must return at once."

I waited for him to continue but that was all he said. I grew frustrated and worried, wondering why I was needed. Only when I remembered Adette did I snap into action.

"Did it have anything to do with Princess Adette?" I took a step towards him, the bewilderment in my voice enough to frighten a grown man. "Speak!"

"I-I believe so."

I whirled around to see that my father had risen and the others were beginning to rise as well.

"Im garo na rinno na Minas Tirith. Afado hé firion." I said quickly. I did not wait for a reply, but turned and mounted Brego without skidding to a stop. I could hear the man call after me but I did not pay attention.

(I have to return to Minas Tirith. Follow this man.)

I grew very angry with myself. Even if I were to ride fast enough I would not make it to Minas Tirith until midday. The sun had barely risen. I had a long ride ahead of me.

Brego galloped fast and he proved to be one of the fastest horses I had ever ridden. Aragorn was lucky to have such a fine animal in his possession. He rode me all the way to Minas Tirith without pausing and I was very grateful to him. When I rode up the steps and into the courtyard it was midday as I had predicted.

I dismounted Brego and flew inside of the castle doors, frantically searching for Aragorn and Adette. I rushed up the stairs to the next level and continued up to the next level. As I went to run down the hall towards Adette's room I heard a familiar voice.

"Legolas!" Aragorn called.

I turned and saw the door to his bedroom open. When I went inside I saw him kneeling next to Adette who looked to be in a great deal of pain. Her arms were wrapped around her belly as if shielding it.

"Adette!" I cried, falling to my knees beside her. I gently pulled her arms away and placed a hand on her belly. I heard Adette let out a heavy sigh and slowly took my hands from her. The pain was erased from her face.

"Legolas…thank you." She breathed before falling into an exhausted sleep. While Aragorn picked up a bowl and rag I gathered her body into my arms and carried her down the hall to her room.

"She has been awake all night and all day." Aragorn said solemnly as I laid Adette down on the bed. I pulled the covers up over her before turning back around. "Did you know that this would happen?"

"I was not thinking clearly."

"She was in a lot of pain mellon. I suggest that you do not separate yourself from her like that again."

"I won't." I assured him, sitting in the space on the bed where her body curled into a ball. I pushed her hair back from her face and stroked her cheek, feeling horribly for putting her through that pain. I ran my thumb gently across her lower lip and saw that they were tinted blue. "Aragorn…?"

"I know not why that happened. I will send the healers in to see her once she awakens." I looked up as he headed to the door. "If you don't need anything else I will go and await the arrival of the others."

When he had gone I turned back to Adette to watch over her until she awoke.